Foot exerciser



' l Fo'r EXERCISER.

Filed Aug. 29, .1925,

`FH; f I

Patented dune it), i924..

sATEs 39 paraat' orsi alle JOHN L. MARTIN, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

roo'r nxnncrsm Application filed August 29, 1922. Serial No. 585,009.

` tions, defects, or weaknesses, and development of anormal condition. The particular object' in view is the correction or cure of fallen arches, due to various causes.

Ordinarily, these defects are treated by the insertion in footwearY ot upwardly projecting bearing portions for the sole of the.

foot, tending to' elevate it more or less. In my invention, I provide means for exerting upward pressure both longitudinally of the foot and transversely, and Aat the same time varying the direction of pressure of the weight ofthe body in variously changing directions. rlhis is done by means of a rocking platform or pedal, constructed and adapted to operate in the manner hereinafter described,l

In the drawings,` showing'one preferred form of the invention:

Fig, 1 is a view of the device inside .elevation;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1

Fig. 3 isa view in rear elevation;

Figs. 4 and -5 are cross sections on the lines IV--IV and V`V of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a view showing the manner of using the device;'and i Fig. 7 is-a similar view showing the de-v vice provided with la controlling stem.

In general, I provide a rocking support having an upper double sided foot supporting shelf,var1ouslyV curved to t against the soles of the feet, when-placed theron side by side, in anover-'corrected position. A/central upwardly extending rounded ridge 2 widen'- ing towards thefrear, merges downwardly at each side into the foot supporting'surfaces 3-4-5 at e'ach side.

.Of these, theportion 3, which supports the front under part of the foot immediately back of the toes, is curved both longitudinally and transversely, and slightly more convex in both directions than,the middle portion 4. Such middle portion slopes backwardly, gradually flattening, and merging into the portion 5 which is recessed or coni caved in both directions, providing heel sockets at the rear.-

These various surfaces are within the surrounding edge 6, curved as shown in Fig. 2 to form an approximation ot the outline of the outline of the foot area, when together in the over-corrected position. The supporting shelf, bounded by the vertically and laterally undulating edge 6, extends outwardly from the upper portion of a base 7,

forming the middle body portion of the device. A rocker bottom 8 extends downwardly from the base and is provided with a rounded, somewhat elongated, contour 9 adaptedfto make contact 'with androll over a flat horizontal surface 10 to a limited extent as an ordinary loor, until arrested by one ot the edges of the base, or of the shelf itselthus limiting the tilt.

yStaples 11 extend outwardly from each titi side of the base 7, to which are attached the side straps 12 having terminal loops 18, with means for lengthening or shortening, as buckles, or the like, to accommodate the height of the operator.

In Fig. 7, I show a modified construction y in which the implement vis provided with a centrally arranged controlling'stem or post 14 inserted in a suitable socket 15 midway vof its width, to assist the operator in place of the' straps 12 or other external support.

Post 14 is socketed slightly forward of the middle, through ridge 2, with suficient forward inclination to ensure clearance forth'e body. As indicated by the line :lf/,, representing the extreme rearward tipping position, the post is substantially at 'right angles to such line, so that when tipped backwardly, the post will be erect.

In operation, the'user stands on the implement, with both feet snugly set upon the surfaces 3 4* at each side, as in Fig. 6, maintaining b anceby the'side 'straps A12, or by holding an suitable object, as a'bedstead, mantel, or chair. With the heels firmly planted insockets 5 and thetoes brought close together and overhang'ing the front edges, the arches of the feet rest upon-the upwardly rounded lintermediate portions 4, fitting snugly against the intermediate tapering ridge Rocking motion in all directions, and especially' forwardly, backwardly, and sidewise, tends to continuall exercise the muscles, ligaments, and ten ons, stimulating circuroe lation, and setting the bony structure t0- wards its proper position and relation, and restoring the bony articulations of the foot to their normal positions` Continued repetitions ofA such exercises, at frequent intervals, will eventually effect a permanent change in the form of defective feet, and give permanent relief by renewing the sustaining power of the arches, in the manner described.

The device may be made of any suitable metal, as aluminum, brass, iron, etc., in which case it is preferably cast hollow of two connected pieces, as shown, for lightness. However, itmay also be of wood, in one solid carved piece, or of rubber, pressed fibre, or other suitable material, and in suitable sizes for different sizes and weights of the various users. It may also be changed or varied in detail construction by the skilled mechanic within the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. A foot exerciser having a rounded supporting bottom and an upper portion having foot receiving surfaces and a dividing ridge.

2. A foot exercisel having a rounded supporting bottom and an upper portion having foot receiving surfaces crowned at the the middle with a heel socket at one end and a downwardly sloping portion at the other. 5. A rocking bottom foot support provided with upwardly arched feet receiving faces at each side of a topmost ridge. 6. A rocking bot-tom foot support provided with upwardly arched fcetreceiving faces at each side of aforwardly narrowing ridge. 7. A rocking bottom foot support provided with upwardly arched feet receiving faces at each side of a topmost ridge, and means for grasping and steadying the device in use.

8. A rocking bottom foot support pro-` vided with upwardly arched feet receiving faces at each side of a topmost ridge, and a air of side holding straps.

n testimony whereof I hereunto aiiix my signature.

JOHN L. MARTIN. 

